First things first:
- Why do you have to take this class?
Next things next. Here are key terms we will use in this class.
- Power
- Authority
- Government
- Politics
[Note: These answers were initially generated by ChatGPT.]
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What is Power?
Power refers to the ability or capacity of an individual or group to influence, control, or direct the actions, behaviors, or thoughts of others.
Focus: on Coercive Power: Power based on the use or threat of force to compel compliance. It relies on the ability to punish or penalize those who do not follow directives.
- You Tube: What is Totalitarianism?
- Ask ChatGPT: How can limits be placed on power?
- You Tube: The Jack Benny Program - "Your Money Or Your Life"
- You Tube: Saddam Hussein's Very Public Purge.
- You Tube: Nicolae Ceausescu - Last Speech, Trial and Execution.
What is Authority?
Authority refers to the recognized or legitimate right to exercise power, control, or influence over others. It is often conferred by a legal, institutional, or social framework and comes with the expectation of compliance or obedience.
One does not have to forced to comply with rulers because hey accept the legitimacy of their rule and voluntarily comply with their demands.
- Charismatic Authority: Based on an individual's personal qualities or charisma, such as a religious leader or revolutionary figure.
- Legal Authority: Derived from laws or legal frameworks, such as a judge, law enforcement officer, or government official.
- Wikipedia: Consent of the Governed.
- You Tube: Max Weber on Authority.
- Ask ChatGPT: What is the consent of the governed?
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What is Government?
Government refers to the system or organization through which a community, society, or nation is governed. It is responsible for creating and enforcing laws, providing public services, maintaining order, and protecting its citizens. Governments can vary widely in their structure, functions, and ideologies, but they all serve as a framework for managing societal affairs.
The United States is an example of a system based on legal authority.
Aristotle's Classification of Government
Good Form: Monarchy
- Who rules: One person (a king or queen).
- For whose benefit: The common good, the welfare of all citizens.
- Characteristics: In a monarchy, a single ruler governs with wisdom and virtue, aiming to promote the well-being of the state and its people. The ruler has absolute authority but is expected to act justly and in the interest of the citizens.
Corrupt Form: Tyranny
- Tyranny occurs when the ruler governs for their own benefit rather than for the common good. The tyrant uses their absolute power oppressively and unjustly.
2. Rule by the Few
Good Form: Aristocracy
- Who rules: A few virtuous individuals (aristocrats).
- For whose benefit: The common good, the benefit of all citizens.
- Characteristics: In an aristocracy, a small group of elite citizens (often the most virtuous and capable) govern based on their wisdom and knowledge. The aim is to serve the well-being of the community as a whole, not personal interests.
Corrupt Form: Oligarchy
- Oligarchy occurs when the ruling few govern not for the benefit of all, but for their own advantage, typically favoring their own wealth or status, often at the expense of the majority.
- You Tube: The Iron Law of Oligarchy.
- You Tube: Elite Theory.
3. Rule by the Many
Good Form: Polity
- Who rules: The many (a large group of citizens).
- For whose benefit: The common good, the welfare of all citizens.
- Characteristics: In a polity, the middle class plays a prominent role in governance, and political power is shared among a broad group of citizens. It is a form of mixed government, drawing on elements of democracy and oligarchy. The aim is to balance the interests of the rich and poor, maintaining the stability of the state.
Corrupt Form: Democracy
- Democracy, in Aristotle’s view, is the corrupt version of polity. In a democracy, the many rule, but often in their own interest rather than for the common good. It can lead to mob rule, where the poor majority dominates and disregards the rights of the wealthy or the minority.
- Aristotle's Classification of Regimes: Exploring the Varieties of Governance.
Centralized Government
Decentralized / Balanced
What is Politics?
Politics refers to the activities, processes, and practices associated with the governance of a society or group. It involves making decisions about how power and resources are distributed, resolving conflicts, and establishing rules or policies to guide collective action. Politics is a fundamental aspect of human society, shaping the way individuals and groups interact, organize, and exercise power.
Political conflict is an inevitable feature of a free and diverse society.
Key Aspects of Politics:
- Decision-Making: Politics involves the process of making collective decisions about how a society or organization should be governed. These decisions cover a broad range of issues, such as laws, policies, economy, education, and foreign relations.
- Participation: Political participation includes voting, running for office, protesting, lobbying, and engaging in civil discourse. Citizens, groups, or political parties actively engage in political life to influence the direction of their country or community.
- Institutions and Structures: Political systems are organized around institutions like governments, courts, legislatures, political parties, and international organizations. These structures are responsible for making and enforcing laws, administering justice, and managing public affairs.
- Ideology and Beliefs: Politics is also shaped by ideologies — sets of beliefs about how societies should be organized, the role of government, and how power should be distributed. Common political ideologies include liberalism, conservatism, socialism, and nationalism, among others.
- Conflict and Cooperation: Politics often involves managing conflicts between different social groups, economic classes, or nations. At the same time, it requires cooperation between various stakeholders to create policies and resolve differences.
See also: Political Culture.
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Using the concepts above, Let's try to understand the arguments in the documents below, whichever is appropriate for your class:
GOVT 2305: The U.S. Declaration of Independence.
GOVT 2306: The Texas Declaration of Independence.
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Terms:
- government.
- institutions.
- state.
- legislature.
- executive.
- judiciary.
- constitution.
- authority.
- coercion.
- consent.
- community.
- civil society.
- legal system.
- military.
- police.
- corruption.
- monarchy.
- autocracy.
- tyranny.
- aristocracy.
- oligarchy,
- polity.
- democracy,
- direct democracy.
- indirect democracy.
- authoritarianism.
- power.
- politics.
- groups.
- influence.
- political parties.
- interest groups.
- the media.
- social media
- political consultants.
- political culture
Posts - optional
- What is power?
- Why do you have to take this class?
- No Really . . . why do you have to take this class?
- Aristotle and His Classification of Government.
- Max Weber: Power and Authority.
- The First Virginia Charter 1606.
- Territorial History of the USA: Every Month for 400 Years.
- Stephen Austin's contract to bring settlers to Texas, 1825.
- Territorial Development of Texas.
- From the Texas Education Agency: Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for K - 12. Government.
